Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Baruch 4: 36 – 5:9 

Psalm 45, 46

Galatians 3:23 – 4:7  

Matthew 1: 18 – 25 

Differences are what make us unique and give all of creation its beauty but differences can make us afraid, judgemental and can distract us from seeing the common spark of the Divine in each of us. It is very easy for me to watch the daily news and give in to fear as I see who our world leaders are and what they are doing. However, that is exactly what they want, for us to be fearful, to be so afraid of each other and out differences, that we become willing pawns, even participants, in building walls and fighting wars.

The only way to cast out this fear is with love. The love that sees beyond the differences that make us afraid cannot come from our fearful human hearts but is a love that “passes all our understanding”. Like forgiveness, it is a gift that we can only give as we open ourselves to receive it from God through Christ.

“In Christ, there is no male or female...”, young or old, gay or straight, Canada or USA...In Christ, there is no “us versus them”. As The Common Cup sings, we need to “draw the circle wide, draw it wider still” and include all differences including the ones that we don't understand and that make us afraid.

Though I can absolutely see and love the beauty in every snowflake that is different, I cannot, without God's help, see and love every different facet of humanity especially what I see and judge as immoral, even evil. However, with God all things are possible so I pray that this Christmas, Christ's love can be born in and through me in a way that overcomes and transmutes this fear so that I can somehow serve as an instrument of peace and love even when facing what makes me afraid.

Nancy Scott